Aizawl, Oct 14 DoNER secretary Srinivas R. Katikithala has reviewed agricultural and value-addition initiatives in east Mizoram’s Champhai district, stressing the need to help local farmers secure better prices and wider markets for their produce, an official statement said on Wednesday.
During his two-day visit to the district on Tuesday, Katikithala interacted with ginger farmers at a training programme on sustainable cultivation and post-harvest management of Mizo ginger at Zotlang.
He highlighted the quality of the locally grown ginger and said the DoNER ministry was taking initiatives under the Mizo Ginger Mission to improve market access and returns for farmers.
Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) senior economic adviser Nilambuj Sharan, who accompanied Katikithala, said the Centre and the Mizoram government would make every effort to ensure effective implementation of the mission.
The DoNER officials later inspected an under-construction passion fruit processing unit, funded by the North Eastern Council (NEC), and reviewed the installation of machinery, the statement said.
The facility, being developed by M/S Acufil after its selection through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), is nearing completion and is expected to be ready for inauguration soon, officials said.
Passion fruit is commonly called Krishna Phal or Krishnakamala in India.
Katikithala also visited stalls at Hnahsin Kut (Cosmos flower festival) and attended the Hnahsin Kut Xplosion event before taking part in a cultural programme organised by the Deputy Commissioner’s Office on Tuesday, the statement added.
(PTI News)
